Kaguya-sama: Love is War – Volume 11 (Review)

I’m back with more Kaguya-sama: Love is War! Need to catch up? Check out my previous review here!

The Story

Kaguya gets a crash course in smartphone etiquette when she learns what that phrase “left me on read” means. Her naïveté and obsession with Miyuki’s line messages generate an instant read message on Miyuki’s end. Feeling that he has her in a trap, Miyuki calls Kaguya and relishes in telling her that he knows that she’s been staring at his messages for several hours. Thankfully for Kaguya, Hayasaka is there to save the day. She gives Miyuki an excuse about all staff needing to filter in and out messages, leaving Miyuki confused and embarrassed.

Yu and Miko finally admit that they like each other, at least platonically, which is a huge success! But Yu’s relationship growth isn’t done yet! Kaguya gets Yu to admit that he has a crush on the ever popular Tsubame Koyasu! The two met on the cheerleading squad, and Yu has felt a connection ever since. With Kaguya’s help, Yu throws all his effort into studying for the next round of final exams. His goal: to place in the top 50 of his class to impress Tsubame!

Despite his best efforts, Yu only manages to rank at 152. Upset with his score, Yu finally confesses to Kaguya how disappointed in himself he is and vows to try harder next time. Kaguya, impressed with Yu’s commitment to success, agrees to continue tutoring him.

For once we see the downsides to the many faces that Hayasaka wears. Both Miyuki and Chika know Hayasaka as Haski, but as different genders; Chika knows Haski as boy and Miyuki knows Haski as a girl. When Chika thinks that Miyuki is interested in the boy version of Haski, she freaks out and leaves Miyuki shaken to his core. So much so that he learns how to rap so he can call out Haski in person. His rhythm and flow inspires Kaguya to also tear into Haski. Having had enough of Kaguya’s attitude, Haski lays into Kaguya about how privileged she is. Haski/Hayasaka’s words get through to Kaguya, and she vows to work towards giving Hayasaka some time off.

Despite all their shenanigans, the members of the student council are constantly thinking of their plans for the future. Chika has several options she is weighing once she graduates. Hayasaka knows she’d like a different career once she graduates. Kaguya plans on continuing her education through Shuchiin. As for Miyuki, he plans on going to Stanford University in America.

With a deadline looming over their not-quite relationship, Miyuki vows to confess to Kaguya by the past day of the cultural festival.

The Review

Volume 11 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War has a perfect balance of comedy and heartwarming moments. I love that we experience the complexities of the relationships Hayasaka has with Kaguya and her friends, and vice versa. Although I am not the bodyguard of the heiress to a multi-billion yen company, I do have the unfortunate experience of pretending to be someone else around different people. The frustration that Hayasaka lets out is legitimate, and I’m glad that Kaguya was able to recognize and acknowledge it, especially given all that Hayasaka does for Kaguya.

A volume of Kaguya-sama: Love is War without some Chika antics. In this volume we’re treated to some epic fourth wall breaking. After gushing over a new anime premiering soon with Yu, Miyuki is quick to tell Kaguya and Chika how excited the two are, only for Yu to vehemently deny liking anime. Cue the fourth wall breaking by Chika, who calls out the anime and manga industry for moe girls, and other tropes. The entire chapter is just the biggest mood regarding the anime and manga industry, and it’s nice to see a series poke fun at itself.

I definitely recommend checking out volume 11 of Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Come for the funny moe girls, stay for the shojo feels.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War - Volume 11

Story

8

Characters

9

Art

9

The Good

Manga is full of expressive and hilarious illustrations

Good separation between the serious moments and the comedic ones

While the situations may not be realistic, emotions conveyed in those situations have an authenticity to them.